Essentials

How to watch out-of-market NBA games with Sling TV and NBA League Pass

By Meredith Gordon

Edited By Leslie Gornstein, Fox Van Allen

Updated on: February 20, 2024 / 3:23 PM EST / Essentials

CBS Essentials is created independently of the CBS News editorial staff. We may receive commissions from some links to products on this page. Promotions are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Victor Wembanyama #1 of the San Antonio Spurs plays defense during the game against the Miami Heat on February 7, 2024 at Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Eric Espada/NBAE via Getty Images

The second half of the 2023-24 NBA season is here, with some of the best games on the horizon. In a season already filled with surprises, the current NBA leaderboard shows new teams at the top of the ladder, which means the next half of the season is anyone's game.

While LeBron and Steph continue to play at an elite level, new faces like San Antonio Spurs rookie Victor Wembanyama, OKC Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Sacramento Kings star De'Aaron Fox are quickly establishing themselves as the NBA's next generation of superstar talent.

With so much talent on the court and the NBA playoffs in sight, there's never been a better time to level up your coverage to catch more NBA games, especially those elusive out-of-market games you've not been able to watch from home.

Live TV streaming service Sling TV has a special offer for those interested in catching more NBA games, especially out-of-market matchups. You can prepay for three months of Sling TV + NBA League Pass and get access to nationally televised NBA games, plus those hard-to-find out-of-market games and access to local TV programming -- all without the cost of a cable subscription. Keep reading for everything you need to know about watching out-of-market NBA games with Sling TV + NBA League Pass.

Get in the game with Sling TV + NBA League Pass

Does every NBA game air nationally? How to watch out-of-market NBA games

With 30 teams playing 82 games each, not every NBA game gets a national broadcast. Likewise, not every NBA team gets an equal number of nationally broadcast games. If you're a Los Angeles Lakers fan living out of the Southern California television market, for example, you won't be able watch the Lakers play with a cable subscription alone unless the game is nationally televised. (You can watch some local games with an HDTV antenna.) That's where Sling TV + NBA League Pass comes in.

Stream out-of-market NBA games on Sling TV and get NBA League Pass

If you have don't have cable TV, one of the most cost-effective ways to stream NBA games, and still get access to local programming, is through a subscription to Sling TV. The streamer offers access to 46 channels, including TNT and ESPN, plus local ABC affiliates (where available) with its Orange + Blue Tier plan. But what really sets Sling TV apart is its NBA League Pass offering, which gives you special access to every out-of-market NBA game... live.

Sling TV has a special NBA Prepay Bundle offer for those interested in NBA League Pass: You can prepay for three months of the NBA League Pass basketball streaming service, and get all the channels in the Orange tier, for $135. That works out to $45 per month. (One month of Orange + NBA League Pass regularly costs $55, so this combo plan is the best value.)

One thing to note: Nationally televised NBA games and some out-of-market gets have a three-hour blackout after the live broadcast with NBA League Pass. For nationally televised blackout NBA games, you can use your Sling TV subscription, or watch the game three hours later on demand on NBA League Pass.

NBA League Pass is available as a $15 per month a la carte offering, though you'll pay just $10 for your first month.

Top features of Sling TV Orange + NBA League Pass:

There are 46 channels to watch in total, including local NBC, Fox and ABC affiliates (where available).
You get access to most local NBA and nationally broadcast games at the lowest price.
All subscription tiers include 50 hours of cloud-based DVR storage, perfect for recording all the biggest games of the season.
With Sling TV Orange + NBA League Pass, you'll get access to all the NBA games you want (minus local blackout games), plus network programs airing on NBC, ABC, Fox and more. It's the most cost-effective way to watch out-of-market NBA games and local network programming.

Watch NBA games on Sling TV